Magnetic carrying apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A magnetic carrying apparatus and method for an object. The apparatus has a first mating portion coupled to an object (such as a wireless device case, flashlight, keys, flash memory drive, etc.) and a second mating portion coupled to a personal item, such as a belt or purse. The first and second mating portions are coupled to each other by the positioning of a magnet proximate the surface of at least one and preferably both of the first and second mating portions. Bringing the first and second mating portions into sufficient proximity causes them to be coupled, and permits the use of the apparatus for carrying. When the object needs to be removed for use, a pulling action will separate the first and second mating portions.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/141,393, filed May 9,2002, in the name of an inventor hereof, and to which priority isclaimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying apparatuses and methodsand, more particularly, to a magnetic carrying apparatus and methodcapable of being readily separable into a first component coupled to anobject to be carried and a second component coupled to one of clothingand an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Myriad portable objects, including wireless devices, phones, beepers,pda's, keys, flash memory drives, flashlights, nail clippers, and thelike, are often carried in a manner that will facilitate ready access tothe object when needed. Thus, there are a variety of apparatuses thatpermit the attachment of such an object and/or its case to a belt orpurse or the like. A typical such prior art apparatus consists of aphone/wireless device case, which case has a clip on a rear side thereofto be attached to a belt or the like.

A need exists for an apparatus having a first component that may becoupled to one of a user's clothing and property, a second componentthat may be coupled to an object to be carried, and means for readilyseparating and re-attaching the two components. The apparatus shouldfacilitate ready separation of the components with a relatively minoramount of physical force or manipulation, while also permittingrelatively secure attachment between the two components when they arecoupled together.

The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related,advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a magneticobject carrying apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, incombination: a first mating portion having a first end and a second end;a second mating portion having a first end and a second end; a firstmagnet located proximate one of the first end of the first matingportion and the first end of the second mating portion; a firstattachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end ofthe first mating portion and one of an object and a case for the object;and a second attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of thesecond end of the second mating portion and a personal item.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, amagnetic object carrying apparatus is disclosed. The apparatuscomprises, in combination: a first mating portion having a first end anda second end; wherein the first end of the first mating portion isconcave; a second mating portion having a first end and a second end;wherein the first end of the second mating portion is convex; a firstmagnet located proximate the first end of the first mating portion; asecond magnet located proximate the first end of the second matingportion; a first attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each ofthe second end of the first mating portion and an object; and a secondattachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end ofthe second mating portion and a personal item.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod for carrying an object is disclosed. The method comprises thesteps of: providing a first mating portion having a first end and asecond end; wherein the first end of the first mating portion isconcave; providing a second mating portion having a first end and asecond end; wherein the first end of the second mating portion isconvex; providing a first magnet located proximate the first end of thefirst mating portion; providing a second magnet located proximate thefirst end of the second mating portion; providing a first attachmentmechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the firstmating portion and an object; providing a second attachment mechanismadapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the second matingportion and a personal item; attaching the first attachment mechanism toeach of the second end of the first mating portion and the object;attaching the second attachment mechanism to each of the second end ofthe second mating portion and the personal item; and bringing the firstmagnet into sufficient proximity to the second magnet so as to causecoupling of the first end of the first mating portion to the second endof the second mating portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatusof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side, cut-away view of the coupling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one component portionof the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a componentportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of one componentportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of one componentportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view of an embodiment of one component portion of thecoupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one component portionof the coupling portion of the present invention in position on awireless device case.

FIG. 9 is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an attachmentmechanism portion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is aside, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an attachmentmechanism portion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the mating portion componentsof the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one mating portioncomponent of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the matingportion components of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanismportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanismportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanismportion of the coupling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fully-assembledcoupling apparatus of the present invention, in use.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatus of thepresent invention, utilizing a belt clip type of attachment means.

FIG. 19 is a side view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatus of thepresent invention, utilizing a carabiner type of attachment means.

FIG. 20 is a side view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatus of thepresent invention, wherein the object to which the apparatus is coupledis a flashlight.

FIG. 21 is a side view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatus of thepresent invention, wherein the object to which the apparatus is coupledis a ring of keys.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an embodiment of the coupling apparatus of thepresent invention, wherein the object to which the apparatus is coupledis a flash memory drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1-2 and 17, an embodiment of a couplingapparatus 10 consistent with the present invention is shown. Thecoupling apparatus 10 generally comprises the following: a first matingportion 12, a second mating portion 14, a first attachment mechanism 16,and a second attachment mechanism 18. The first mating portion 12 iscoupled via the first attachment mechanism 16 to an object 20. Thesecond mating portion 14 is coupled via the second attachment mechanism18 to an item of personal property, such as a belt 22. (While a belt 22is shown as an example of an item of personal property to which thesecond attachment mechanism 18 may be secured, it should be understoodthat it may be desirable to secure the second attachment mechanism 18 toother property, such as waist-band, belt loop, purse or purse strap,bag, backpack, pocket, etc.)

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5-6, 8, and 11-13, attention is directed tothe first and second mating portions 12 and 14. These portions areadapted to be coupled to each other about exposed surfaces 13 and 15,respectively. It is preferred, as shown herein, that exposed surface 13be concave, and that exposed surface 15 be convex, so as to provide formore secure coupling therebetween. A magnet 24 is present on at leastone surface 13 or 15. The other surface 13 or 15 has either a magnet 24thereon (of opposite polarity to the one located on the opposingsurface), or a metal surface of a type that is capable of beingattracted to a magnet 24. When exposed surfaces 13 and 15 are broughtinto sufficient proximity with one another, attraction of the magnet 24to either the second magnet 24 or the opposing metal surface will causethe first and second mating portions 12 and 14 to be coupled at exposedsurfaces 13 and 15 as shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 17.Conversely, pulling on at least one of the first and second matingportions 12 and 14, typically caused by pulling the object to which thesecond mating portion 14 is coupled, will cause de-coupling of the firstand second mating portions 12 and 14 and permit use of the objectunencumbered by the first mating portion 12 and the object to which itis coupled.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 and 8-17, attention is now directed to firstattachment mechanism 16 and second attachment mechanism 18. In oneembodiment, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 8, 11-13 and 17, atransverse opening 30 is provided through a rear portion of each offirst and second mating portions 12 and 14. Insertable through eachtransverse opening 30 is, optionally, a ring 26. (The ring 26 may, byway of example, be of the split ring type (see, e.g., FIG. 4), of theD-ring type, or of another desired type (see, e.g., FIG. 18)).

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, 8 and 17, and as noted above, it is preferredthat the first mating portion 12 is coupled via the first attachmentmechanism 16 to an object 20, and that the second mating portion 14 iscoupled via the second attachment mechanism 18 to an item of personalproperty, such as a belt 22. (it should be apparent that the positionsof the first and second mating portions 12 and 14 could be reversed.)

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3-6, 8-10, and 14-17, the first and secondattachment mechanisms 16 and 18 are described in greater detail. First,it should be noted that the purpose of the first attachment mechanism 16is to couple the first mating potion 12 to the object 20. First, asshown in FIGS. 2, 5-6 and 9-10, it may be desired to insert a pin 28through the object 20. In one embodiment, the end of the pin 28 isinserted into the rear of the first mating portion 12 throughlongitudinal opening 29, where a transverse opening 32 in the pin 28 isaligned with the transverse opening 30, and the pin 28 is then securedby the insertion and secure coupling of a transverse pin 34 therein. SeeFIGS. 5-7. In another embodiment, the end of the pin 28 is inserted intothe rear of a base member 36, which base member 36 is then securelycoupled to the rear of the first mating portion 12. See FIG. 2. Theseconfigurations permit a relatively rigid positioning of the object 20relative to the belt 22 or other item upon which the case 20 is worn,and limits movement of the case 20.

In another embodiment, the pin 28 is securely coupled to an O-type ring38. See FIG. 8. In yet another embodiment, the pin 28 is securelycoupled to a D-type ring 40. See FIG. 9. In these embodiments, couplingto the rear of the first mating portion 12 is accomplished by coupling aring 26 to each of the O-type ring 38 or D-type ring 40 and through thetransverse opening 30. See FIGS. 8 and 17. These configurations permitrelatively freer movement of the case 20 during use.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4 and 16, in another configuration, the firstmating portion 12 receives an eye-bolt 42 into the longitudinal opening29, with the eye-bolt 42 being secured thereto with the insertion oftransverse pin 34 through transverse opening 32 and through transverseopening 33 in the eye-bolt 42. The eye-bolt 42 has coupled to the ringportion thereof a ring 26 or a spring clip 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, 14-15, and 17-19, embodiments of the secondattachment mechanism 18 are shown. In one embodiment, as shown by way ofexample in FIG. 14, a belt clip 46 has an eyelet 48 thereon. The beltclip 46 may be clipped to a belt 22 or other personal item. As shown inFIG. 18, a belt clip 46 may be coupled via ring 60 coupled thereto toring 26, which ring 26 is secured to the rear of second mating portion14 as described above.

In another embodiment, a loop 50 has an eyelet 52 thereon, and the loop50 further has a snap assembly 54 to permit opening and closing of theloop 50 about a belt 22 or other personal item. (As shown in FIG. 2,instead of the eyelet 52, it would be possible to secure a pin 56through the loop 50 and into the rear of the second mating portion 14.)As shown in FIG. 19, it may be desired to utilize a carabiner 62 as thesecond attachment mechanism.

As shown by way of example in FIGS. 8, 20-22, myriad types of objectscan comprise the object 20. This may include a flashlight (FIG. 20), aset of keys (FIG. 21), a flash memory drive (FIG. 22), and a carryingcase (FIG. 1). Other objects, not shown, may also be carried using theapparatus 10 of the present invention, including, for example, an LEDlight, camera, MP3 player, tape measure, knife, hand tools, sportsbottles, ID cards, compasses, fast pass devices, electronic keys, etc.

It should be understood that, while different embodiments of the firstand second attachment portions 16 and 18 are shown, each configurationcould equally be used as a first attachment portion 16 or secondattachment portion 18. For example, while FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate anembodiment of a first attachment portion 16 coupled to an object 20,they could also illustrate a second attachment portion 18 coupled to abelt clip 46 or loop 50. The same would be accurate with respect to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 9-10.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A magnetic object carrying apparatus comprising, in combination: afirst mating portion having a first end and a second end; a secondmating portion having a first end and a second end; a first magnetlocated proximate one of the first end of the first mating portion andthe first end of the second mating portion; a first attachment mechanismadapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the first matingportion and an object; and a second attachment mechanism adapted to becoupled to each of the second end of the second mating portion and apersonal item.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first end ofsaid first mating portion is concave.
 3. The carrying apparatus of claim2 wherein said first end of said second mating portion is convex.
 4. Thecarrying apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second magnet locatedproximate the other of said first end of said first mating portion andsaid first end of said second mating portion.
 5. The carrying apparatusof claim 1 wherein said first attachment mechanism comprises a pininserted through said case and into a longitudinal opening in saidsecond end of said first mating portion.
 6. The carrying apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said first attachment mechanism comprises: a pininserted through said case and coupled to a first ring; and a secondring coupled to said first ring; wherein said second ring is insertedthrough a transverse opening in said second end of said first matingportion.
 7. The carrying apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a firstring inserted through a transverse opening in said second end of saidfirst mating portion.
 8. The carrying apparatus of claim 7 furthercomprising a second ring inserted through a transverse opening in saidsecond end of said second mating portion.
 9. The carrying apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a belt cliphaving an eyelet thereon; and a ring inserted through each of saideyelet and said second end of said second mating portion.
 10. Thecarrying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second attachment mechanismcomprises: a carabiner clip and a ring inserted through each of saidcarabiner clip and said second end of said second mating portion. 11.The carrying apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second attachmentmechanism comprises: a loop having an eyelet thereon; and a ringinserted through each of said eyelet and said second end of said secondmating portion.
 12. The carrying apparatus of claim 1 wherein the objectis one of a flashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.
 13. A magneticobject carrying apparatus comprising, in combination: a first matingportion having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end ofthe first mating portion is concave; a second mating portion having afirst end and a second end; wherein the first end of the second matingportion is convex; a first magnet located proximate the first end of thefirst mating portion; a second magnet located proximate the first end ofthe second mating portion; a first attachment mechanism adapted to becoupled to each of the second end of the first mating portion and anobject; and a second attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to eachof the second end of the second mating portion and a personal item. 14.The carrying apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a first ringinserted through a transverse opening in said second end of said firstmating portion.
 15. The carrying apparatus of claim 14 furthercomprising a second ring inserted through a transverse opening in saidsecond end of said second mating portion.
 16. The carrying apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said second attachment mechanism comprises: a belt cliphaving an eyelet thereon; and a ring inserted through each of saideyelet and said second end of said second mating portion.
 17. Thecarrying apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second attachment mechanismcomprises: a carabiner clip and a ring inserted through each of saidcarabiner clip and said second end of said second mating portion. 18.The carrying apparatus of claim 13 wherein the object is one of aflashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.
 19. A method for carrying anobject comprising: providing a first mating portion having a first endand a second end; wherein the first end of the first mating portion isconcave; providing a second mating portion having a first end and asecond end; wherein the first end of the second mating portion isconvex; providing a first magnet located proximate the first end of thefirst mating portion; providing a second magnet located proximate thefirst end of the second mating portion; providing a first attachmentmechanism adapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the firstmating portion and an object; providing a second attachment mechanismadapted to be coupled to each of the second end of the second matingportion and a personal item; attaching the first attachment mechanism toeach of the second end of the first mating portion and the object;attaching the second attachment mechanism to each of the second end ofthe second mating portion and the personal item; and bringing the firstmagnet into sufficient proximity to the second magnet so as to causecoupling of the first end of the first mating portion to the second endof the second mating portion.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein theobject is one of a flashlight, key, and a flash memory drive.